New Zealand and South Africa meet at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday 15 March, just days after their T20 World Cup clash and the opening match of this five-game series marks the start of a fresh cycle as both sides begin building towards the 2028 T20 World Cup.
The squads for this tour look very different to those seen at the global tournament, with a number of senior players rested and several domestic performers handed opportunities.
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New Zealand 1.53
South Africa 2.50
New Zealand appear to have the more settled group and should have the stronger understanding of local conditions. Bay Oval has tended to produce competitive but not extreme totals and teams that bowl well at the death often hold the advantage. The Black Caps attack has a number of bowlers capable of exploiting those conditions, while South Africa arrive with a young squad that is still finding its feet at international level.
With several experienced Proteas players absent and New Zealand playing at home, the hosts look deserved favourites to start the series with a win.
Squads
New Zealand T20I Squad
Mitchell Santner (captain matches 1–3), Katene Clarke (4–5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk 4–5), Devon Conway (wk 1–3), Lockie Ferguson (2–3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (captain matches 4–5), Jayden Lennox (4–5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.
South Africa T20I Squad
Keshav Maharaj (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, Jason Smith.
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Suggested Bets
Bet 1 – New Zealand to win the match at 1.53
The hosts look the more balanced side and should be comfortable in familiar conditions. South Africa’s squad contains plenty of exciting prospects but relatively little international experience, particularly in the batting unit. New Zealand also have a bowling attack that tends to perform well on home surfaces where variations and disciplined lengths are rewarded.
Bet 2 – Top New Zealand Batter: Bevon Jacobs at 5.50
Jacobs comes into the series in outstanding domestic form after a prolific Super Smash campaign where he piled up runs at an aggressive strike rate. With several senior Black Caps batters missing, he is likely to occupy an important role in the middle order and should get enough time at the crease to influence the game if New Zealand build a platform.
Bet 3 – Top South Africa Bowler: Ottneil Baartman at 3.85
Baartman’s success in the SA20 was built around clever variations and change-ups, skills that often translate well to New Zealand conditions where batters can struggle to generate pace off the surface. If South Africa are to keep the hosts in check, Baartman is one of the bowlers most capable of breaking partnerships and controlling the scoring rate in the middle and death overs.
All prices correct at the time of writing but subject to change
